LASIK Post-Op Report

[meghan]

It's been over a month now since my surgery. Overall, I'm glad I did it, but if I'd had any inclination what I'd be up against today, I wouldn't have done it.

On the positive side, I have incredible vision. I'm 20/10 (yep) and my night vision problems are completely cured. I can actually read neon signs in the dark -- I've never been able to do that in my life! It was kind of an emotional moment the first night I saw things clearly.

So what's the problem?

I have a condition called keratitis. In layman's terms, it's essentially corneal abrasions and "dry spots" that refuse to heal. Over time, the abrasions can impair my vision, making the whole surgery a waste. I take eye drops every 30 minutes or so when I can remember, and when I can't, the dry, burning, sandpapery sensation reminds me. My eyes feel tired constantly because they're so dry. It seems like no amount of artificial tears brings any lasting relief. I'm also using this disgusting eye ointment at night (Refresh PM) that's basically like putting Vaseline in my eyes. I wake up with epic eye boogers.

Over the past month, I've been put on an another antibiotic and anti-inflammatory prescription to heal the keratitis, but to no avail. (This is after the bucket of prescription drops you're given to take for the first week after surgery.) Now I'm being prescribed Restasis, a twice-daily drop that should encourage the production of natural tears in addition to the artificial tears and ointment I'm already using. If no improvement can be seen by next month, they'll be putting plugs in my tear drainage ducts to help my eyes retain more moisture.

What a hassle. Hmph!

Anyways, I can still see better than most of you. :p

[Butthead]

that sucks -- do what any red-blooded american would do -- sue!

on a related topic, doesn't that bat-shit-crazy blue lagoon chick do the restasis commercials? at least you have that going for you. :)

[jkhonea]

Damn, Meghan, didn't know these problems held over. Are the new prescriptions only for producing tears and moisture or are they still looking to cure the condition?

[Butthead]

my little girl quinn had to have one of her tear ducts cleared. she had to be put to sleep to do the procedure. the doctors told us messing with the tear ducts is much more serious as you get older. it's hard to believe they would clog yours on purpose. quinn's eye teared non-stop. make sure you get 2nd opinions before you do anything that drastic.

[Todd]

that sux Megan. As with any surgery, you can only go on the percentages of what other patients have had as far as results go. The odds of you having this crap were VERY tiny. Hopefully they'll get this cleared up.

[willr1]

I think you made me want to keep wearing my glasses.

[meghan]

Yes, as was mentioned, the odds of this happening to other folks is low. Don't let my experience scare you off -- balance it with the TONS of other ultra-positive experiences. Most people have zero complications. Still, I'd like for mine to be known just for the sake of making an an educated decision. And because I want to bitch. :D

As for the prescriptions, John, the Restasis is to moisten the eyes and encourage natural tears. This will help heal the keratitis -- it would likely have healed by now were it not for the persistent dry eye. Keratitis is the eyeball equivalent of a skinned knee -- it will heal on it's own unless you continue irritating it, which, in my case, I'm doing every time I blink with dry eyes. Over time, though, it will change the shape of the surface of my eye, which, as you know, determines visual acuity.

Restasis is pricey. One 30-day supply is about $70. I have prescription-by-mail pharmacy benefits, however, and I can get a 90-day supply for around $65, so that helps, but still... I will likely be using the stuff for a long, long time. It's irritating to say the least.

Regarding the tear-ducts, Dean, they would be plugging only my drainage ducts, which is apparently a relatively common procedure. People have two in each eye -- one in the the upper and one in the lower eyelid. They'd plug my lower drainage ducts and I'd probably lose the plugs within about 6 months -- most folks do. It's a temporary fix, and is an in-office procedure. It sounds pretty minor, but I'd still like to avoid it. The idea is that during the 6 months or so that the plugs would last, my eyes could retain more moisture (both natural and artificial) to assist with the healing.

[Lazarus]

Sorry to hear this meg. Always sad to hear someone try to correct an issue only to have another one pop up. Thats probably the main reason I haven't had knee surgery yet.

[meghan]

Well, I guess I shouldn't have expected to go from blind-as-a-bat to eagle-eye without paying the piper. :p

Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time for my eyedrops. :lol:

[Barton72]

Hope this problem works itself out Meghan. At least you can see good now.

I was talking to my grandfather yesterday about some procedure he had done to his eye. He said he was almost out from the drugs when all of the sudden the laser was placed in the wrong area. He screamed at the doctor. Now he can barely see anything out of the eye over 10 feet away. It was not like that before and it's been a year. The doctor denied any wrong doing until recently. Grandpa kept telling him he screwed his eye up and he denied it. Now he has said "man I must have done that". What a crock of poopie. That is some delicate stuff to mess with. I hope I don't have to deal with it.

[MrBlah]

how did it fix your night vision?

I have horrible glare problems at night, drives me crazy

[Ibleedgreen]

Sucks to hear, I hope you feel better soon!

[meghan]

how did it fix your night vision?

I have horrible glare problems at night, drives me crazy

My night vision problems stemmed from a mild astigmatism, which the LASIK corrected. I was floored the first night that I was out on the roads. Daniel was driving and I was absolutely giddy, pointing out all the things that I could see. :lol:

[Mongo]

Evelyne had cataracts and once her first lens was replaced she was like that for weeks - colors, details, everything. Had me rolling :D

[meghan]

Hahah I've just recently started to get over my urge to show off. "Hey, Daniel, can you read that? I can!" "Hey, do you see that? I do!"

I've nearly driven him to domestic violence. :p

[Mongo]

I was happy I got my lasik done before she had her stuff come up so I'm still a little better than she is :D

[jkhonea]

I was happy I got my lasik done before she had her stuff come up so I'm still a little better than she is :D

Keep that up and your ass will be back to flipping burgers somewhere. :lol:

[Mongo]

I can only dream...

While I'm thinking of it, can you email me that phone number for the lift again? Need to get that sorted out before I'm on the road and forget for another couple months...

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Just think, if you were normal sized, with normal sized eyes, this probably wouldn't have happened. Sorry to hear you're having complications, hope the Restasis helps!

[Nycool]

Thats sucks but luckily there is something that can help it. Where did you actually go to get it done?

[meghan]

Thats sucks but luckily there is something that can help it. Where did you actually go to get it done?

TLC Laser Vision in Atlanta (the Dunwoody location)

[haus en heimer]

Sorry to hear Meghan, but I am glad you can see better now!!!